Rowing boat named in honour of student Cian Everett by Christchurch Rowing Club

A rowing boat has been named in honour of a former Arnewood school pupil who died aged just 21 to celebrate his love of the sport.

Described as "always positive", Cian Everett rowed all over the south coast and on the Thames, taking part in races and regattas in both single sculls and the coxed quads between 2018 and 2022.

He was appointed junior club captain of Christchurch Rowing Club in 2021.

Now a state-of-the-art double scull boat has been named after Cian by the club during a ceremony attended by proud members of his family, including parents Gillian and Clive, and friends of the talented university student.

Clive gave a speech paying tribute to his son, who died in January of natural causes: “Throughout his 21 years Cian never understood how much people thought of him and looked up to him.

“He was a self-deprecating soul, and this is possibly one of the reasons why everyone liked him. But Cian would know that having a boat launched and named after you is the pinnacle of the honours that the club can bestow upon one of its members. He would have been acutely embarrassed, but incredibly proud – as are we.”

Clive remembered how much the club had meant to his son: “His six years as both a boy and young adult at the club built the foundations for the man – some would say machine – that he was.

“The club taught Cian his mental and physical limits – and how he could push beyond them. How to prepare and organise himself – although his mum may have some words to say about that!

“How your body needs the right fuel and rest to operate at peak performance How to control his frustrations when things weren’t going perfectly – he was a bit of a perfectionist.

“Don’t expect to get better at anything if you don’t put the hours and the practice in. Technique is just as important – if not more important – than power. Early mornings do exist.”

He added: “For six years, this club was an extension of his family, and whilst he had been away for a few years completing his studies at university, there was never any doubt that he was going to come back, knowing that, like any good family, he would be welcomed back.

“So, on behalf of his family, I want to say a heartfelt thank you for welcoming him back today, and honouring him in this way.”

Also at the naming ceremony were Cian's former coaches John Dodsworth and Steve Aldridge who shared fond memories of Cian's total passion for the sport.

Cian and his then rowing partner Joshua Brangan, who is a member of the current Great Britain under-23 rowing squad, were awarded as teenagers the club's title of 'Ones to Watch' in September 2018, having already won the J14 category at the Avon County Spring Head race in March that year.

The new boat was launched with the traditional bottle of champagne broken over its bow at a ceremony held at the river's edge at the club.

It was then launched by junior squad members Martha Gunningham and Hatti Stevens who proudly rowed the 'Cian Everett’ on the water for the first time.

Cian's parents have also donated a trophy to the club in his memory which will be presented annually to a member of the junior team who shows commitment and contribution to their teammates and the club. The trophy was received by Louise Clayton, club captain.

Cian is to be further honoured by the RNLI who will be adding his name to the wheelhouse decals of its Shannon Class Exmouth lifeboat.

Other events which have been held in Cian's memory include a two-day tournament by Bath Spa University Rounders Society which was organised by Cian's former long-term girlfriend Ellie Grainger.

Reading University’s volleyball club also held a charity match to remember their president with more than 40 players taking part, including a near-complete alumni squad.

Cian was also a member of New Forest Volleyball Club between 2017 and 2022, before going onto play for Reading University’s White Knights team. He was voted club president last year.

Both events raised money for a foundation set up in Cian's memory by his family which has already raised £24,000 for charity. The Cian Everett Young Person's Development Foundation aims to support charities, clubs and schools that provide experience days, programmes and events that focus on the development of youngsters.

Future events planned to fundraise for the foundation include Cian's mother taking his place in a parachute jump which was a present to Cian from his family for his 21st birthday, and a go-karting endurance race organised by his cousin, local photographer Joe Greenhalgh.

Cian was also a talented musician, and a special tribute was played by Reading University's Music Society where he was a percussionist.

The percussion group reformed for an evening to play a piece dedicated to Cian by music director Dae Hyun-Lee, titled A Little Prayer by Evelyn Glennie.

Played in the university's Great Hall, as part of its Classic event many alumni made the trip back to Reading specially to attend the event.

To donate to the foundation visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/cian-everett-young-persons-development-foundation